‘Military City USA’: San Antonio eliminates parks fees for veteran groups – San Antonio Express-News
Megan Stringer, Staff writer
Cassiano Park at Apache Creek is seen on the cloudy morning of Thursday, April 29, 2021. It is part of the Westside Creeks project, which encompasses hike-and-bike trails and natural ecosystem restoration on five creeks flowing through and near San Antonio’s West Side.
Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff PhotographerVeteran groups no longer have to pay San Antonio park and pavilion fees.
A Veterans of Foreign Wars post first asked District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda about facility rental fees because they have had to pay the same price as the general public to reserve park space and pavilions for events.
“Outdoor spaces can be important for anyone, but they are especially important for our veterans who use the outdoors to cope with PTSD,” Cabello Havrda said in a statement. “Eliminating these fees demonstrates public acknowledgment and gratitude for their long-standing military and community-based contributions.”
The far West Side councilwoman supported the change through a policy proposal she brought about a year ago. Mayor Ron Nirenberg last month brought it forth to the city’s governance committee, which deliberates on policy ideas.
The fee waiver received final approval through the committee and doesn’t need a vote from the full City Council, a spokesman for Cabello Havrda said.
Veterans and military retirees account for 20 percent of San Antonio’s population. The majority of them live in District 6, and many belong to one of the city’s 12 VFW or eight American Legion posts, according to the District 6 City Council office.
“San Antonio is known throughout the world as Military City USA, and this change in fees is another example of the respect and appreciation we have for our military veterans,” Cabello Havrda said.
The District 6 Councilwoman recently saw another policy request of hers move ahead. San Antonio will now include demographic questions related to ability and disability on city-sponsored surveys — much like questions that ask about age, gender, race or ethnicity.
Cabello Havrda hopes the city can better serve the disability community by knowing more about their needs and demographics.
megan.stringer@express-news.net
